Article 15 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
المادة 15 من نظام المحاماة · الباب الثاني: واجبات المحامين وحقوقهم
The Article bars a lawyer, himself or through another, from accepting agency for his client's opponent or giving him any help in the same case or a related case, even after his agency has ended.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز للمحامي بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر أن يقبل الوكالة عن خصم موكله أو أن يبدي له أي معونة، ولو على سبيل الرأي في دعوى سبق له أن قبل الوكالة فيها أو في دعوى ذات علاقة بها ولو بعد انتهاء وكالته.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 15 explained in plain English
This Article protects a client's trust in his lawyer by barring the lawyer from switching to the other side of the same dispute.
What is prohibited?
- The lawyer accepting agency for his client's opponent.
- The lawyer giving the opponent any help, even by way of opinion; the prohibition is not limited to pleading but covers merely giving an opinion.
In which case? In the case in which the lawyer previously accepted agency, or in a case related to it.
Does the prohibition end when the agency ends? No. The text is explicit that the prohibition stands even after his agency has ended, and it sets no period after which it ends.
Can it be evaded through another lawyer? No. The prohibition covers what the lawyer does himself or through another lawyer.
The Article is connected to Article 14, which bars a lawyer from accepting a case or giving a consultation against a body he works for or whose relationship ended less than five years ago, and to Article 16, which bars a former judge from accepting agency in a case that was before him. All of them are provisions aimed at preventing conflicts of interest.
If you suspect that your opponent's lawyer previously handled your case or a related one, it would be best to consult a lawyer specializing in the laws regulating the legal profession.
Practical example
A lawyer acted for Ahmed in a claim for money against a company in Dammam, and then his agency ended. Months later the company asked him to advise it on the same case. He may not do so, even by way of opinion, nor have another lawyer do so for him, because the prohibition stands even after his agency has ended.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentA question about Article 15 of Law of Legal Practice?
Describe what happened and specialist lawyers answer. You can write in English.
- Completely free
- Lawyers from the directory answer
- Your name stays hidden
General Practice lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
General Practice lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office
Khalid Abdulrahman Al-Hajlah Law and Arbitration Office
Frequently asked questions about Article 15 of the Saudi Law of Legal Practice
May a lawyer act for my opponent after his agency for me has ended?
He may not do so in the case in which he previously accepted agency or in a related case, even after his agency has ended.
May a lawyer give an opinion to his client's opponent?
No. The Article bars giving the client's opponent any help, even by way of opinion, in that case or a related case.
More articles on Duties of the Lawyer
- Article 11
The Article requires a lawyer to practice his profession in accordance with Sharia principles and the laws in force, to refrain from anything that undermines its dignity, and to respect the rules and instructions issued for it.
على المحامي مزاولة مهنته وفقا للأصول الشرعية والأنظمة المرعية، والامتناع عن أي عمل يخل بكرامتها، واحترام القواعد والتعليمات الصادرة في هذا الشأن.
- Article 12
The Article bars a lawyer from touching on personal matters of his client's opponent or the opponent's lawyer, and requires him to refrain from insults or accusations that affect honor and dignity.
لا يجوز للمحامي أن يتعرض للأمور الشخصية الخاصة بخصم موكله أو محاميه، وعليه أن يمتنع عن السب أو الاتهام بما يمس الشرف والكرامة.
- Article 14
The Article bars a lawyer from accepting a case or giving a consultation against a body he works for or whose relationship ended less than 5 years ago, or against his client under a part-time contract within 3 years.
1- لا يجوز للمحامي بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر أن يقبل أي دعوى أو يعطي أي استشارة ضد جهة يعمل لديها، أو ضد جهة انتهت علاقته بها، إلا بعد مضي مدة لا تقل عن خمس سنوا
- Article 16
The Article bars a person who was a judge before practicing law from accepting agency, himself or through another lawyer, in a case that was before him.
لا يجوز لمن كان قاضيا قبل مزاولة مهنة المحاماة أن يقبل الوكالة بنفسه أو بوساطة محام آخر في دعوى كانت معروضة عليه.
- Article 17
The Article bars a person who gave an opinion in a case as an employee, arbitrator or expert from accepting agency in that case.
لا يجوز لمن أبدى رأيه في قضية بصفته موظفا أو محكما أو خبيرا، أن يقبل الوكالة في تلك القضية.
- Article 20
The Article requires a lawyer or agent to submit the original of his power of attorney or a certified copy at the first hearing, and explains the effect of the client attending with him and of an officially certified general power of attorney.
يجب على المحامي أو الوكيل، أن يقدم أصل توكيله أو صورة منه مصدقا عليها إلى المحكمة أو ديوان المظالم أو اللجان المشار إليها في المادة الأولى من هذا النظام، في أول
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.